Metro

World

Spiritual

Thursday, 10 November 2016

Hundreds of residents of Anglican Road, Ilupewo community, Ado- Odo-Otta Local Government Area, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun states, have deserted their homes after receiving a letter from suspected armed robbers.

It was learnt that the residents woke up to discover several of such letters pasted to their doorposts. The letter insinuated that the robbers were coming for the operation because of Christmas and New Year festivities.

The most shocking aspect of the letter was the phone numbers that accompanied it. The phone numbers – 0702288949, 080449930 – are, however, incomplete. They stressed that they didn’t want excuses from residents over non-availability of money at home.

They said the letter was to inform them about their coming and ensure they keep money at home always. The letter was written in Yoruba language and typed in capital letters.

They introduced themselves as “Strong men of the road that own the night.” A landlord in the area, who identified himself as Mr. Femi Martins, said: “We are used to pilfering in our community, but we woke up on Tuesday morning to see letters pasted on our doors.

About 60 houses on Anglican Road had the letters pasted on their doorposts. We immediately called a meeting. We also reported the matter at the Sango Police Station. We want 24 hours police patrol in our community.

We believe that these hoodlums live among us and they can strike anytime.” Before the letters, police had been patrolling some areas in the community, but didn’t stop a series of robberies taking place.

It was also learnt that residents, who usually switched off their generators around 11p.m. are now being forced to switch off by 9:30p.m., while business owners now close shop by 6p.m.

When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu, assured the residents that security had been beefed up in the community.